The Four Watch Towers of Bangalore (2025)

Did you know that Bangalore was once believed to be marked by four watch towers built by Kempegowda I’s grandson? These towers were thought to define the outer limits of the city. But today, the city has grown far beyond those points.

Recent research suggests that these towers were not actual boundary markers. They are not located in the exact cardinal directions. Instead, they may have served as jurisdiction or administrative markers.

In this post, you will find more details about each of the four towers.

This article may contain affiliate links. For complete information, please see our affiliate disclaimer here.

Bengaluru Travel Resources
Don’t have the time to read the complete post? Here are some useful links for your bookings:
Cheap Flight Bookings? Use Skyscanner
Good stay and accommodation? Use Agoda or Stay22
Hostels? Use HostelWorld
Comprehensive Travel Insurance? Use SafetyWing
Tours and Activity Bookings? Use Viator, GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor

Useful Blog Posts
Things to Know Before Visiting Bangalore
Discover Kempegowda International Airport
Best Hotels in Bangalore for Family Holidays
Review of Taj Westend Bangalore (5-Star Hotel)
Review of Jayamahal Palace Hotel (4-Star Hotel)
Transport in Bangalore: Getting Around the City

One-Day Itinerary for Bangalore
2 Days in Bangalore
3 Days in Bangalore
5 Days in Bangalore
Best Area to Stay in Bangalore

Table of Contents

About Kempegowda I

Ruling for 46 years from 1513, Kempegowda I was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire. Officially named Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempe Gowda, he was the founder of Bangalore. He was responsible for building many beautiful landmarks, such as Bangalore Fort, Cantonment, Water tanks and lakes, and temples.

Karnataka celebrates Kempegowda I’s birth anniversary on 27 June. Bangalore’s main and international airport is named after Kempegowda I. Bangalore also has a museum dedicated to Kempegowda I.

Another notable fort that was built by Kempegowda I was the Uttari Betta located in Kunigal taluk.

About Kempegowda’s Watch Towers

To mark the boundaries of Bangalore city, Kempegowda I’s son or grandson built four watchtowers in the four cardinal directions in 1638. During the 16th century, it was believed that the city would end at these watchtowers.

The Four Watch Towers

Note that the watchtowers below are listed in no particular order.
Except for the watchtower in Ulsoor, you can visit all the other towers for free. However, note that the watchtower in Ulsoor is occasionally open to the public on Kempegowda I’s birth anniversary (27 June).
Visiting all these towers is free.

Lalbagh

Built on Peninsula Gneiss that dates back 3.4 billion years, the first watch tower is part of the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. This watchtower is open to the public, and you can view it up close. You can access this tower at any time when Lalbagh botanical garden is open. This tower marks the southern end of Bangalore.

According to the research, this tower was primarily used for medicinal purposes and served as the arogya (medicinal) jurisdiction tower.

Lalbagh Kempegowda watch tower — Kempegowda Watch Tower at Lalbagh

How to get to Lalbagh?

Metro – Getting to Lalbagh is very easy. Lalbagh has a metro station of its own and that is best and closest way to get to the watch tower in Lalbagh.
Drive – Lalbagh is around 3.5 kilometres from Bangalore General Post Office (GPO) and by road, the journey takes about 10 minutes. There is a paid parking available in Lalbagh.

Mekhri Circle

Located in Sri Ramana Maharishi Park at Mekhri Circle is the second watch tower. Sri Ramana Maharishi Park is a green space where people practice meditation and take walks. You can access this tower at any time when the park is open. This tower marks the north end of Bangalore.

According to the research, this tower was primarily used for tax collection purposes and served as the kandaya (tax) jurisdiction tower.

How to get to Mekhri Circle?

Metro – The closest metro station to Mekhri Circle is Mantri Mall metro station. From Mantri Mall, the park is around 2 to 3 kilometres.
Bus – The best way to get to Mekhri Circle by public transport is by taking a bus. You can take a bus from Majestic (Kempegowda bus stop) to Palace Ground. The park is located just opposite the Palace Ground.
Drive – The park is approximately 6 to 7 kilometres from Bangalore GPO, and the journey by road takes around 20 minutes. Street parking is available behind the park.

Gavipuram

Located directly behind the Bande Mahakali temple is the third watchtower. A short, muddy path leads to the tower, hidden and unknown to many, including the locals. You can access this tower at any time during the day. This tower marks the west end of Bangalore.

According to the research, this tower was primarily used for religious purposes and served as the spiritual jurisdiction tower.

Kempegowda tower Gavipuram — Kempegowda Tower in Gavipuram

We embarked on a quest to locate this ancient and historical tower as part of our Gavipuram heritage trail. It was a hunt because most people were unaware of its existence. Every time we asked for the tower, people gave us directions to Kempegowda Circle and his statue.

Bengaluru Prayana conducts guided heritage and art walks. To learn about the scheduled walks, visit the Bengaluru Prayana Facebook Group or Instagram Page. Alternatively, you can write to us at bengaluruprayana@gmail.com.
You can also join our WhatsApp community.

How to get to Gavipuram?

Metro – The closest metro station to Gavipuram is the National College or Krishna Rajendra Market metro station. From the National College metro station, the tower is around 2-2.5 kilometres away. From the Krishna Rajendra Market metro station, the tower is approximately 4.5 kilometres away. You can either walk or take an auto rickshaw.
Drive – The tower is approximately 7 kilometres from Bangalore GPO, and by road, the journey takes just over 20 minutes. Parking can be a bit challenging at the Bande Mahakali temple, but you can park at Kempambudhi Lake and then walk to the tower.

Ulsoor

Located inside the Madras Sappers, the fourth watch tower is not accessible to the public. It is situated in a protected area. There is a point around Ulsoor Lake (one of the lakes in Bangalore) where you can get a glimpse of the tower. Additionally, every year, on Kempegowda I’s birth anniversary (June 27), the public was allowed to visit the tower. This tower marks the east end of Bangalore.

According to the research, this tower was primarily used for punishment purposes and served as the jurisdictional tower for punishment.

How to get to Ulsoor?

Metro – The best way to get to Ulsoor is by metro, as Ulsoor has its metro station, and the Ulsoor Lake is just a 10-minute walk from the station.
Drive – The tower is around 4 kilometres from Bangalore GPO, and by road, the journey takes just 15 minutes. Street parking is available at the lake.

Closing Notes

Today, Bangalore has outgrown these watchtowers and has now become one of the largest cities in India. Yet, these watchtowers still stand tall, reminding us of the old days when this city was envisioned and built. You can visit all four watchtowers in a single day, but I recommend taking your time and exploring the other monuments and landmarks around each tower as well.

Price disclaimers:

The prices mentioned in the post are indicative and are applicable at the time of publishing the post.
For up-to-date prices and availability, check individual and respective websites.
The opinions mentioned in the post are solely mine and unbiased. If the post is written as part of a collaboration, the collaboration disclaimer is discussed explicitly at the end of the post.
Ensure you do your due diligence on the reviews before choosing a hotel or hostel.